CAPE MAY COURTHOUSE - More than 150 golfers descended upon the Cape May National Golf Club in Erma on a beautiful early autumn day on Oct. 4 as the Atlantic Cape Community College Foundation’s Annual Scramble ‘FORE’ Scholarships Golf Tournament celebrated its 20th anniversary in Cape May by once again raising a record amount for student scholarships.
This year’s total of $75,000 raised topped last year’s then-record total of $71,500.
"The Atlantic Cape Foundation is so thankful for the generosity from our sponsors and supporters. Without their commitment this event would not be possible,” Atlantic Cape Foundation Executive Director Jean McAlister said. “We would also like to thank Bob Mullock, his family and Cape May National Golf Club for hosting this important scholarship event for the last 20 years! We are truly grateful.”
Prior to the 11:30 a.m. shotgun start, participants took to the driving range to stretch their bodies and flex their muscles for the day ahead. Amid the continuous sound of ping, ping, ping, they swung for distance measured in hundreds of yards. At the start of the event, golfers put their putting and chipping skills to the test. Mike Dolan won the Putting Contest with the fewest strokes, Ann Herron won the Chipping Contest and 10 other Chipping Contest participants also hit the targeted boat in the pond.
Out on the course itself, flanked by rows of cultivated greens dotted with numerous trees, lakes and ponds, teams of three and four teed off, chipped and putted their way through 18 holes for fun, bragging rights and prizes. There were sleeves of golf balls for the five teams landing closest to the pin and a free round of golf at select area courses for the top six overall team finishers.
During the dinner and awards ceremony following the tournament Mullock was recognized with a commemorative plaquethe golf club's 20 years of dedicated support and partnership in hosting the annual Scramble “FORE” Scholarships Golf Tournament.
“Today is the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Atlantic Cape Foundation’s Scramble “FORE” Scholarships. I want to thank everybody for coming today and supporting this event. We had a large number of people participate today and we are very thankful and grateful.,” Atlantic Cape President Barbara Gaba said. “I want to thank Bob and Zack Mullock, and the entire Mullock family, who have been strong supporters of this event and the Foundation and we appreciate everything they have done for us. And, certainly your work with our Foundation and the broader work in Cape May County is very inspiring.”
Mullock reminisced on the positive effects that the tournament has had on the students of Atlantic and Cape May counties over the past 20 years.
“You could see how important it was to the students, especially here in Cape May County, where there were so many kids and parents who didn’t have a lot of money to attend college. And, how important college was for parents that were either by themselves, working another job or didn’t have the job they really wanted to be in,” Mullock said. “You recognize that scholarships are really important, so that’s what we focused on during these tournaments.”
Pessagno was also recognized with an honorary resolution for his “instrumental role as a member of the Ideas Committee, providing leadership, vision, and strategic guidance to enhance the foundation’s initiatives by establishing the tournament.
Since the annual golf tournament’s debut in 2004, which raised $12,000, more than $800,000 has been raised for students.
The 2024 scholarship recipients include Hollie Aponte, Megan Bechtler, Angela Dominguez-Henao, Rachel Duffy, Barrett Farschon, Alesandra Fernandez, Julie Helverson, Amber Howatt, Megan Jackson, Kanefe Johnson, Fausta Kawesi, Drahcir Knight, Allison Knoll, Taylor Lerario, Corine McDowell, Mishael McFarlane, Mason Michot, Haley Milano, Hillary Raymond, Renata Riesenberg, Leonor Rodriguez, Kylee Rothmel, Nastassia Shypionak, Catherine Versoza and Attuiyah Williams.
